By

Northern European Wool Culture

Resource from:
May 19, 2026

Unlocking the Value of North European Short Tailed Sheep Wool

Presented by Tommi Pohjakallio, Fibershed Finland

Tommi Pohjakallio brings a rare combination of deep industry experience and hands-on farming. Holding an M.Sc. in textile and clothing engineering, he launched a knitting factory in Lithuania in the early 1990s, collaborated with Parisian fashion houses, and built export collections with Japan as his primary market. His journey into sheep keeping began with the critically endangered Åland sheep, a breed whose double-coated wool caught his attention and reignited his passion for textile development.

In this webinar, Tommi presents his initiative to conserve North European Short Tailed Sheep, a group of approximately 35 ancient breeds with roots stretching back to the Viking Age. Rather than relying on conservation alone, he makes the case for unlocking the cultural and economic value of their wool as a sustainable path forward.

Drawing on successful precedents such as Shetland wool and Harris Tweed, Tommi explores how these heritage breeds can be positioned for niche markets, supporting traditional craftsmanship and generating viable local economies across the Nordic region. The presentation is essential viewing for anyone interested in the intersection of biodiversity conservation, textile heritage, and sustainable regional development.